Hearts B were defeated 2-1 by Cumbernauld Colts at The Vanloq Community Stadium, Ainslie Park in the Lowland League on Friday night.
The visitors were 2-0 up at half-time with goals from Joshua Jack and Joshua Farquhar. Tommy North scored in the 64th minute to halve the deficit, but it wasn’t enough to spur Hearts on for an equaliser as Cumbernauld took all three points in Pilton.
Angus Beith made a single change from the 2-1 victory over the University of Stirling last Saturday. Connor Dow came in to replace Tommy North in attack.
It was one way traffic in the first half, as Cumbernauld looked threatening every time they ventured forward.
Hearts goalkeeper Jack Lyon was forced into action in the 11th minute. The ball was played over the top to Wilson who bullied his way past the Hearts defence. He hit a powerful strike on his right foot which was saved well by Lyon.
The Wee Jambos should’ve got themselves in front after 15 minutes played. Skipper Gregor Crookston slipped striker Connor Dow in behind the Colts defence, his strike was aimed for the bottom left corner but he was denied by the boot of Harry Broun in goals.
Cumbernauld took the lead in the 20th minute. Joshua Jack struck an unstoppable free kick from the edge of the box into the top right corner of the net.
They had their second of the evening not long after. In the 25th minute, the corner was swung in from the left and Farquhar headed the ball home at the front post past Jack Lyon for 2-0.
Half-time: Hearts 0-2 Cumbernauld Colts
Hearts looked to put a stamp on proceedings in the second 45.
In the 64th minute, substitute striker Tommy North pulled a goal back. Matty Gillies fired the ball from deep to the left wing to find Dom Plank who drove to the byline and fizzed a ball across to the front post and Tommy North arrived to fire home from close range.
Jack Lyon came up big with another stop for Hearts in the 73rd minute. Joshua Jack struck another free kick from the edge of the box, this time it looked as though it was going to arrow into the bottom left corner. But Lyon made a great save at full stretch to deny him.
Hearts had one final opportunity to snatch an equaliser right at the death. Plank dribbled well down the left again and whipped the ball into a crowded box. The visitors cleared the ball as far as Taylor Hogarth, who hit a low strike that looked destined for the bottom left corner, but a Colts defender blocked it away from danger.
Hearts: Lyon, Crookston ©, James, Smutek, Osborne (North 57’), Ross (Hogarth 46’), Gillies, Dow (Muirhead 87’), Glasgow (Smith 46’), Stevenson, Walker (Plank 46’)
Subs: MacDonald, Smith, Plank, Radcliffe, Muirhead, Hogarth, 31 Tommy North
Cumbernauld Colts: Broun, Fernie, Home, Allison ©, Jack, Walker, Stevenson, McLaughlin, Wilson, Farquhar, TRIALIST
Subs: TRIALIST, Moy, Mortimer, McIntyre, Hunter, Hatfield, Doran
Speaking to the Official Hearts Website at full-time, head coach Angus Beith said:
“I’m really disappointed with the performance levels tonight. After a pretty positive performance last week at Stirling Uni, I thought we let ourselves down tonight.
“Particularly the first half. The lack of quality and the decision making was really poor and we lacked the same intensity and aggression that we showed against Stirling. Those aspects were really disappointing for us.
“In the second half we showed a little bit more aggression, a little bit more intent, and got the goal. There was a little period after that five minutes where maybe the momentum had flipped, but we didn't do enough to go and get a second.”
While there were few positives from the match, Beith was happy with the impact of substitute striker Tommy North and Dom Plank who grabbed an assist.
“I think Tommy took the goal really with Dom putting that delivery in. We showed a little bit more intent and we looked to go and play forward and play with a bit more quality and risk.
“It was disappointing after that. Their bench was getting a wee bit frustrated. The momentum was maybe gonna turn at that moment and we didn't do enough to really hammer that home. But it was positive for Tommy to get another goal.”
The manager looked ahead to the away clash against East Fife in The KDM Evolution Trophy, the newly revamped Scottish Challenge Cup.
“We’re going to have to play a lot better, that’s for sure. East Fife are a good team and they've got a lot of seasoned guys that have played in League One and the championship for a number of seasons and they've got real quality up top.
“We need to be miles better in a lot of aspects. The first thing that we're gonna be asking for from the boys on Sunday when we're back in is a good attitude, a good work ethic and a willingness to go and play with a bit more intent and aggression. That's the starting point for us.
“It’s a really good challenge that the boys are looking forward to. We'll need to dust ourselves down and get ready for it.”
